Need to know exactly how long your text is? This free word counter counts your words, characters, sentences and paragraphs live, as you type or paste — and it even estimates how long your text takes to read or speak aloud.
Free Online Word Counter
How to Use the Word Counter
- Type your text directly into the box, or paste it from any document.
- Read the live counts below the box — they update with every keystroke.
- Use the reading and speaking time estimates if you are preparing a speech, a video script or a presentation.
Who Uses a Word Counter?
- Students who must keep essays and assignments inside a word limit.
- Writers and bloggers who plan articles of a target length.
- English learners practising short writing tasks and daily journaling.
- Speakers who need to know whether a script fits their time slot.
Counting is only half of good writing — accuracy matters too. If you often mix up similar words, our guide to your vs you're will help you avoid one of the most common mistakes.
Frequently Asked Questions
How does the word counter work?
The tool counts groups of characters separated by spaces as words, and it updates every number instantly in your browser as you type. Nothing is uploaded or saved.
How is reading time calculated?
Reading time uses an average reading speed of about 200 words per minute, and speaking time uses about 150 words per minute — the normal pace of clear spoken English.
Does the counter work for long documents?
Yes. You can paste a full essay or article. Very long texts still count instantly because everything happens on your own device.